Palm Sunday readies us for the death and resurrection of Jesus

"The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!' And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 'Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!' His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him." - John 12:12-19

As an adult and Christian, I've found Palm Sunday disturbs me when I meditate on this day. Imagine, Jesus has been teaching. He's preached to thousands, he has his group of apostles. All of these people recognize him as the messiah, they believe in Him, yet are so clueless to what is coming.

But Jesus knows.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord

He knew what lay ahead even as he rode into Jerusalem that day on the donkey, riding atop branches of palm trees to shouts of "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!"

Original art by author

Jesus never faltered. He knew his fate – his fate on this earth, the horror that was coming to Him and what would come to Him when he would resurrect to sit beside His Father at the throne of heaven. Glory lay ahead, but in front of it what the worse torture we could imagine.

And Jesus never succumbed to the pressures of knowing what was coming or even to when Satan tempted Him. 

He faithfully rode on that donkey on a rode lined with palm tree branches. Maybe He knew that one day all those who didn't understand what was coming or remember the prophecy of the Old Testament, would indeed remember that Palm Sunday. 

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,A colt, the foal of a donkey." - Zechariah 9:9

Why do we prepare for Easter?

We spend the present-day Lenten season in study, attending Stations of the Cross, (if applicable to your religion), perhaps eating fish on Fridays, giving up something for Lent, attending church regularly - hopefully and in truth ... meditating throughout the season on what preceded the crucifixion and resurrection is what we need to study. 

To me, the most important week of Lent is the one between Palm Sunday and Easter. I don't always make it to church, but I always spend this week in reflection, study and prayer about Jesus. 

Recent movies make it easy for us to do so. Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" is one that I sobbed all the way through – but it's also one that brings to heart exactly what those last two days of Jesus' life were like. What He did for us. What he suffered for us.

And we get to go to heaven because of that suffering. We get, if we ask the Lord, announce we are sinners and accept Him into our hearts, to be relieved of our sins and we are - what is often termed - "born again."

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." 
- Ephesians 2:8

Entering Holy Week

As the child of an Episcopal minister, I clearly remember my father's preparations for Easter during Lent and during Holy Week. My father was originally an evangelical preacher in his early years (1937-1951) and so much of that went into his services in the Episcopal Church throughout his life.

We ate fish on Tuesdays and Fridays in my childhood Lenten days. We gave up something for lent - it always had to do with food. 

However, that week before Easter is a busy one for a minister. Often there are nowadays Ministerial Alliances that offer prayer and luncheons or perhaps prayers and breakfast. These are a wonderful way to connect with the Spirit during this week of weeks if your schedule permits.

Maundy Thursday is not recognized by all religions, but it was by my Dad and he always had a service. Maundy Thursday is the celebration of the Last Supper. The last night Christ spent with his apostles - they had that "supper" he washed the feet of his disciples, he first announced the first communion - the bread and the wine - His body and blood.

After the Last Supper, Jesus led his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed and implored His disciples to remain awake and pray with Him. 

Again, they were clueless about what was coming and slept. Jesus prayed fervently for God to take the cup of what was coming away from Him. But in the end, He also knew He would walk in faith and not disobey His Father.

More on this as we proceed into Holy Week.

God's Promise for Us

As we enter this Holiest of Weeks, study, read on God's word. It doesn't matter what religion you are, from what walk of life you are. It matters only that you quench that thirst for His word. Relieve that itch that you've had all your life for Him. We ALL have it.

Study and prepare. You can accept Christ at any time and be forgiven if you let Him into your heart. That's where the Lord can see and know you have accepted and believed. Once you have done this – you will be compelled to change your life, to follow Christ to be a better person.

Again, it doesn't matter who you are, what sins you've committed in the past, what your present cultural background is, what religion you presently believe in.

The gift of salvation is free and available to every human.

Remember ... He KNOWS YOUR NAME!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

Are you ready for heaven?

A few years ago, during a time of turmoil with a family member, whom I knew had not accepted Christ and, in fact, knew nothing about the Lord – I told him that he needed God in his life. His response was, "I don't need your God. We [his wife and he] have an angel looking over us."

Not only did his statement sadden me, but the near contradiction in terms (he believed in angels, but not God) brought a deeper sadness to my heart.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." - John 14:1

No amount of scripture or prayers has helped this young man and his wife, but they continue to remain in our daily prayers despite them casting us from their lives – calling us "delusional" in our beliefs.

As the recent years have progressed, I've seen more and more people turn away from the Lord. Even those who lacked a Bible-based church upbringing and knew nothing, are hardening their hearts.

People are taking sides more quickly and more firmly now

We all know the Lord will give people only so many chances and then their hearts will be hardened.

"Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: 'You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'" - Matthew 13:14-15

Not too long after the conversation with this family member who believed in angels but not in God, I was praying for him, his wife and their young child when I suddenly stopped as the Holy Spirit spoke to me, clearly saying, "Stop. Their hearts are hardened. You must not worry or be sad for them – it is done. But you must continue to pray."

I finally found ease and comfort from this as it helped me to let go of the emotion tied to their spiritual removal from belief in God and from my agony over the estrangement from them that began over something having nothing to do with prayer or belief in God.

In the past couple of years I've seen more and more people taking sides. Some are coming to the Lord with a fervor and others are clearly taking the other side.

Television shows, movies, magazines, Internet and the news has become filled with explicit sex, drugs, and a fascination by many of things that are dead – from zombies to vampires.

Some of the most popular TV shows and movies today involve zombies, death and destructions (Game of Thrones as an example), bondage and masochism (50 Shades of Gray) and more. Meanwhile, simple romantic comedies can barely last a season on television. People want to see the blood and gore, death, sex and drugs before anything else.

Reality shows are popular because they revolve around turmoil and arguments.

It's no wonder minds are turning from God and toward that which lives on earth.

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4

But there are those who DO believe

Meanwhile, those who do believe are gathering and bringing God's word to the masses in creative and new 21st century ways.

Don Piper, a minister and author of "90 Minutes in Heaven," ministers around the world and is now bringing his story to the big screen this fall. Producers have been focused on getting Piper's story right, scripturally based and even allowed Piper on the set throughout filming.

Producer Paul LaLonde has brought the first "Left Behind" book to the big screen too – it debuted in 2014 amidst criticism that it wasn't scripturally based enough. I've read the book series several times and seen the movie. LaLonde did a marvelous job on bringing the movie based on part of the first book in the series to film.

And he clearly is a believer.

Just because the movie wasn't full of scripture, doesn't mean it didn't compel some to pick up a Bible and begin reading, attending a Bible-based church or seeking someone who could tell them more about God.

A number of biblical movies have gone to film in recent years from Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" to "Noah" to "The Bible" - a mini series that covered a number of books of the Bible, among others.

"Heaven is for Real" was another movie based on the real story of Colton Burpo, a child who went to heaven during surgery and returned to life to talk about what he'd seen.

Dr. Mary Neal wrote "To Heaven and Back" about her experience of drowning while kayaking, going to heaven and returning back to life. Like Piper and Burpo, the experience changed her life.

It seems God is bringing His message to us loud and clear.

Heaven IS for real so we'd better be prepared

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." - Matthew 25:13

It's more important than ever to be prepared. With social media, Internet websites, TV shows and movies spreading the message, there's no shortage of places to turn to for instruction.

Recently a different family member from the one with whom we are estranged, asked me to buy her a Bible. The mother of three boys and a stay at home Mom with no religious background, she knows she needs God in her life.

She asked me for a children's Bible – for herself to read and understand as well as for her children.

It matters not how we arrive at God's door, as long as we arrive – believing in Him, worshipping Him and walking in faith.

"And Peter said unto them, 'Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" - Acts 2:38

Enjoy those voices in your head

I was unable to fall asleep. Sitting in the recliner, not curled up in my warm bed, my world was spinning. It was the second ear infection in two months, vertigo rocking my world and nothing more I could do than recline, close my eyes and try to bring restorative sleep.

Saying prayers prior to sleep is what I do, always. So on this night I said those prayers:

"Lighten my darkness I beseech thee O Lord, and by thy great mercy defend me from all dangers and perils of this night, through the mercy of your son, my savior Jesus Christ." (1928 Book of Common Prayer)

"Lord Jesus be with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past. Be our companion in the way. Kindle our hearts and awaken hope that we may come to know you as you are revealed through scripture and the breaking of bread." (Book of Common Prayer, Evening Prayer)

They always comfort me and speak to the Holy Spirit for protection during the night. I am a great believer in the necessity of needing spiritual protection through the night, when you are at rest and not consciously wearing that protective armor of God.

Usually after saying the above prayers I fall into a restful, deep sleep. I'm happy to say that at 58 years old, I don't have a lot of the same sleep deprivation problems my peers do. I sleep pretty well.

Once in a while, however, I can't rest my mind as on this night a few weeks ago.

Oh those voices in my head

I began looking for something comforting to put my mind on. It was February and always a difficult month for me. My mother's birthday was Feb. 2nd, and she's been gone for 33 years. My father passed away in 2002 on Feb. 5, and my sister passed Feb. 19, 2013, after a long battle with congestive heart failure and a terrible six-week-long death process.

February is rough to plow through – but I have faith that each year it will become less complicated for me. In 2014, the first anniversary of my sister's passing and the horrific journey her hospice care entailed - I was ill for the entire six weeks. I never came out of my illness until after her anniversary had passed.

I couldn't let that happen again.

Nevertheless, within two weeks of the second anniversary of her death, here I was, stuck in the recliner again - this time with ear problems, vertigo and an inability to have the freedom to simply get up and walk around the house.

How could I sleep?

Using happy memories

I decided to use the happy memories instead of the sad ones.

I closed my eyes and  recalled my mother's voice - something I can still do all these years later. And so began the memory trail.

I remembered my father's voice and his last words to me, "I love you too, very much." Quite a statement for a man of faith, but who had a difficult time expression emotion to his family.

I remembered my sister's last words, "You are so beautiful," as she looked at me the last time she opened her eyes, hours before her death.

I can hear the cackle of her laugh, her dry sense of humor, how she said my name.

And so I moved on through the voices. This time I could take it further – to old friends and family. I remembered an old adult friend of my parents, Virginia Myers, who lived on a farm in Virginia where I loved to visit. I can hear Virginia's strong southern voice as clearly as if she's standing right here today.

And that brought delightful childhood memories with it.

Before I knew it, I had my brother's voice (he's still with us!), his laugh and his beautiful spontaneity. His son's voice - gone these 33 years too - is in my memory. Jimmy's voice was just like his father's once he'd become an adult.

As I traveled down the voice-memory road, I embarked even further than friends and family. Suddenly, there was Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh – two of my favorite actors, Julie Andrews singing "The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music," Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire ... so many voices that have brought so much pleasure into my life.

What a blessing to be able to remember them all!

I began to hear Joel Osteen's voice and his latest message from the previous Sunday.

Soon I began to relax and sleep was approaching.

Listening to God

As I began to drift off, I realized I was hearing God's voice too. I had prayed for His protection during the night and he answered, bringing me the comfort of voices I have loved over the years, allowing them into my mind – uninterrupted.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." - Phillippians 4:6

Mindful mediation can come from many different ways and attempts. You simply have to still your mind and wait for the Lord to speak as I did on this one night.

Listen and He will speak. Listen to those wonderful memories inside your head for comfort and closeness.

The memories are sweet and kind. Concentrate on those, not the bad ones. Let go and let live.

I've read Outlander's 8 books, now what do I do?

I began panicking about three weeks ago.

I started reading the Outlander book series, by Diana Gabaldon, in mid-August of 2014, after watching the first episode of the STARZ show. I was hooked.

An avid reader who also loves time travel romances, it didn't take much for me to dive into the Outlander books, quickly becoming head over heels thoroughly wrapped up in the series of books.

It has taken me six months to finish the series of eight books – the eighth published just last year and, we hear from Gabaldon - not the final book either.

Nevertheless, I panicked three weeks ago when I started on book eight.  For six months I had opened my Kindle and read the books – a little each day – at breakfast, lunch, sometimes dinner and before bed. Yes readers, I do have a life, but anyone who loves to read knows that when you get hooked on a good book ... you just can't put it down.

I knew I'd no longer be able to pick up my Kindle and wonder what Jamie and Claire were up to on a daily basis. Where were Bree and Roger? William and Lord John? How was the Ridge doing? Fergus, Marsali and the children?

After six months, one begins to have these characters in the back of the mind all day. They become real, and in a small sense you can't wait to find out what they are doing.

In reality, it becomes "what is Gabaldon doing with them?"

Spoiler Alert

Read no further if you haven't read the books and don't want to know anything past where the  TV series left off.

Claire and Jamie from a scene in the Outlander TV series.
Claire is played by Catriona Balfe, Jamie by Scottish actor
Sam Heughan. 

Gabaldon's zest for history, all things Gaelic, smells and sights

You only have to read through the first book in the series to fall in love with Gabaldon's writing style. There are thousands of authors and books out there, some are very good - some not so good. But not all writers have a specific "style" that sets them apart from even the good writers.

Gabaldon is one of those writers who is set apart. Stephen King is another. Their styles are totally different as is the genre of their works. Nevertheless, their writing styles are so distinctive that one is drawn into their books like a moth to light.

Gabaldon has sucked me in with her vivid descriptions of the smells, odors, fragrances surrounding the characters. You could almost sense yourself sharing those smells with Claire as she describes the smell of a tavern (ordinary) - the smell of unwashed bodies, sweat, beer, cheese, wood smoke, cooking ham and more. You get the picture – or the smell anyway.

She describes the terrain so perfectly - whether it's the highlands of Scotland, the muddy, dirtiness of 18th century Edinburgh (or Philadelphia) or the mountains of North Carolina.

Claire's healing ability is featured throughout every book. Going from nurse to physician in the 20th century and back to the 18th century, where she takes her vast surgical healing skills and customizes them for the times. She becomes "conjure woman" - a healer - a physician.

Claire makes use of what is available to her - herbs, oils that she makes - to ether, penicillin, a make-shift stethoscope and microscope, even acupuncture needles; she  always figures it out. From fixing a crushed finger to surgery and amputation during war, to delivering babies, eye care, dental care and more - she finds a way; always sticking to the physician's oath she took back in the 20th century.

Can you speak Gaelic?

Gabaldon makes use of the Gaelic language throughout her books - yet always explains what the phrase means. By the time I finished the eighth book, I found myself fascinated by the Gaelic phrases - using them from time to time.

I caught myself using ken and kent instead of "know." And instead of telling someone to worry, I was saying, "dinna fash." Now, everyone I know is looking at me like I'm a lunatic.

Don't mind me, it's Outlander fever.

How did I miss Outlander 20 years ago?

Diana Gabaldon is the author of the Outlander series.

How I missed finding Gabaldon's series 20+ years ago when it first came out, I have no idea. Those were the days when one HAD to go into a bookstore and peruse the shelves. There wasn't Amazon or online shopping; no Kindles or Nooks to pave the way. One had to buy or borrow a physical book.

After about 55 years of reading physical books, I caved in and bought a Kindle a few years ago and it usually goes with me wherever I go. It's one less thing to clean (meaning no book sitting on a shelf) and now I can lay in bed and hold my Kindle, backlit and able to read easily enough. All of my Outlander books are on my Kindle.

I loved being able to click on a word to know the meaning. Because as any Gabaldon fan knows, Diana is a scholar and researcher, she is well versed in her vocabulary and strove throughout her books to not only use words native to the 18th century, but descriptive words that I had to find the meaning to in order to understand a sentence. The books are a history lesson with fascinating characters.

Gabaldon is not just the creator of this fabulous fiction series, but holy smokes - she's smart as a whip!

The cast of characters

With the STARZ series having begun broadcasting last August, Outlander fans now know what Claire and Jamie look like, Dougal, Geillis, Colum, Murtaugh, Black Jack Randall and Frank, and others native to the first book in the series.

It's been wonderful to read the books and picture Claire and Jamie growing old and I can't wait to see who is picked to portray other main characters on the show, such as Brianna, Roger, Fergus, Marsali, Ian the son of Jenny and Ian Murray, William and Lord John - to name a few.

Then there are the other time travelers, the characters we do know from history – Benedict Arnold, Marquis de Lafayette, George Washington, Sam Adams and others.

I can only hope to write as well as Gabaldon

As a writer of mostly historical accounts, I have loved Gabaldon's description of her early years of writing ... from her desk, without traveling all over the world. She did her research the old-fashioned way - through libraries and books and yes, the Internet.

And she's still managed to write a series of epic proportions.

Now that I've got some time on my hands, perhaps I can finally finish my nonfiction book on the heinous crimes of Dr. George Fraker.

After all, Diana Gabaldon has inspired me to get moving.

Meanwhile, she is working on book 9. Just what will Jamie and Claire be up to next?